Another Whack at Islamophobia Charge Over Arab Ports Deal

I thought I gave a pretty good whack to the "Islamophobia" charge over the proposed UAE ports deal in my post on February 23rd entitled "A "Phobia" Is Nothing to Be Afraid Of ."  But apparently the meme has found its legs and is up and running again.  Fortunately, it is already taking a few well-deserved whacks today from Tony Blankley at Townhall.com and from Michelle Malkin.

Let's join in and give the "Islamophobia" charge another very focused whack, shall we?

As I pointed out earlier, the "Islamophobia" meme is an attempt by supporters of the ports deal to seize control of the debate by implying not only that critics of the deal have a "fear or hatred" of Islam itself -- as opposed to terrorism -- but also that such fear or aversion is excessive or unreasonable.

As I pointed out, this whole "-phobia" suffix, as used in the political realm, is powerful stuff.  It perhaps originated with the use of the term "homophobia," which is defined as "fear or hatred of homosexuality or homosexuals."  The use of the suffix "-phobia" also implies that such fear or aversion is excessive and unreasonable.  Of course, what one person sees as "excessive, unreasonable" aversion to something may be seen by another person as common sense. 

That's why the use of the suffix "-phobia" is so powerful.  It takes control of the terms of the debate by defining a fear or dislike for something as being akin to an "infectious disease."  It defines one thing as the norm, and any opposing viewpoint as bigotry.

Here's where the "Islamophobia" critics are getting it wrong.  The "phobia" underlying questions about the Arab ports deal is, for almost everyone, not a fear or hatred of Islam -- but of terrorism.  To the extent that Islam itself is feared or hated by some these days, it is only because terrorists have used Islam as their excuse for mass murder and mayhem.

It is reasonable to fear and hate terrorism.  It is a reasonable hatred of terrorism, not an "unreasonable, excessive" fear of Islam, that is certainly behind my objections to the port deal.  As someone who has gone out of my way to speak out against pointless ridicule of Mohammed and pointless alienation of our Muslim allies and in favor of showing religious tolerance toward Islam, I am immune from credible charges of "Islamophobia."

As I have said before, I do hate and fear terrorism, a "phobia" which I proudly share with every sane human being on earth, including decent Muslims around the world -- many of whom have been the first victims of Islamic terrorism. 

Hence my continued concerns about the proposed takeover of American ports by a United Arab Emirates company.  The UAE, after all, is closely allied with sworn enemies of the United States.  The deal merits a closer look than it has yet received.  Thankfully, since my February 23rd post, the White House has decided to give the deal a closer look.

It's important that everyone on both sides of the debate keep their eyes on the ball.  The "ball" in this case is terrorism.  As long as we focus on terrorism -- which all sane, civilized people loathe -- we all have nothing but common ground on what matters most.  When the focus shifts to Islam itself, we are diluting our own strength.  It is the terrorists who want a war between Islam and the rest of the world.  That is not the war we are fighting. 

America is known for its religious tolerance.  What we will no longer tolerate is unnecessary risks to our national security.  Allowing a Middle Eastern company with close ties to enemies of the United States to take over operations at six major ports has raised eyebrows, as well it should.  Whether critics of the deal can be mollified will depend on what is revealed by the closer look we are about to undertake.

Meanwhile, it's time to give the "phobia" charge a rest.  It's a debating tactic, nothing more.  If the Islamophobia charge continues to be used in connection with the ports deal, I will be sorely tempted to coin a new "-phobia" to apply to those using it: 

"Veritophobia."  Fear of the truth.

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Update:  More commentary can be found at A Certain Slant of Light and Right Wing News

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